I am angry. So is practically all the population. This is the state of mind for all of us except for the perpetrators who have taken it upon themselves to intimidate not only politicians and journalists, but all those who give a helping hand in alleviating in some way the irregular immigration phenomenon.

Last year, after taking part in Xarabank, in which I reiterated the government’s policy that in spite of the fact that we had no wish of suffering any influx of irregular immigrants, we were not only in duty bound but also morally bound to assist all the “boat” immigrants who need help in Malta’s Search And Rescue (SAR) region, I received a number of telephone calls, some of which were threatening to say the least.

During the said programme I confirmed that as long as I held office as Parliamentary Secretary within the Office of the Prime Minister, with part of my duties being the political overview of the AFM, one could rest assured that if it resulted that there was any danger to life and limb to any irregular immigrants in Malta’s SAR region, due attention and assistance would be given.

In fact in come cases, some loads of boat-people have been rounded up and brought to the island notwithstanding their protests and resistance.

This mostly happens when the officers in charge of operations deem the situation, in which these immigrants find themselves in, to be volatile and dangerous enough to require immediate attention whether asked for or not.

In fact, during last weekend, AFM patrols brought to land two boatloads of irregular immigrants marooned south of Malta.

One had 47 persons and the other 25. In another operation two weeks ago, more irregular immigrants were brought in, taken up from a marooned boat which had to be left at sea because of the bad weather / rough seas. The latter had been at sea for some eight days and were in dire straits. Could anyone in his right senses, claiming to have any level of decency, not have acted?

Unfortunately, in spite of all the attention being given to these operations, incidents and accidents happen at sea. I totally disagree with whoever might try to attribute such incidents or accidents to the Maltese armed forces and authorities or even to me as Parliamentary Secretary – every journalist should check his facts thoroughly before trying to claim “journalistic scoops” which, barring their sensationalism, do no good. The truth is that only those who do nothing never err.

However, to have this island held to ransom by some undesirable individuals, who are practically blackmailing journalists and other persons, be it in the political sphere or within the police force, armed forces or some voluntary group, is not acceptable.

To be honest about it, after the threats I received, I did not give it too much thought to start off with, took it in my stride, so to speak. I honestly believed that whoever it was had a big growl but no bite. Later of course, I did go through the trouble and cost of having locks put on the outer gates of my house and I find myself checking the front door every time there is a sound at night.

It now seems that there is a small nucleus of arsonists within our population threatening the peace and stability of the country and particularly of all those involved in the well being and care of irregular immigrants. More concerning is the fact that these are becoming quite daring.

However, they remain cowardly enough to operate secretly, mostly during the night.

The Jesuits and those near to them, helping out with the irregular immigrants while in detention, have had their cars set on fire. Journalists who have expressed a sympathetic opinion seem now to be under fire. Have we come to a state where we are so intolerant with each other? Are we to allow agitators to operate freely? Is racism seen as some new hype attracting the attention of those susceptible to such incitement?

On a personal level, one may not agree with all that Mr Balzan writes in his paper or with some articles signed by Daphne Caruana Galizia or with what other journalists may say. But the criminal acts carried out against the property of these persons, which could have had disastrous effects on their family are totally unacceptable and are now rendering the situation untenable. In actual fact, the latest vile acts could have cost lives.

I am sure that the police are doing their utmost however I believe that there are law abiding persons out there who know more than what is being said. It is high time that everyone assumes full responsibility for his actions.

After all this, I am still angry.

Tony Abela is Parliamentary Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister